5 positive things dating apps can offer

When I was a single, dating apps were one of my first ports of call for self esteem boosts. Feeling down about my appearance? Here’s a whole app of people who think I’m hot. Need someone to chat to? Here’s a whole app of people to shoot the breeze with. Often I wouldn’t even necessarily be looking for a date, but seeking a simple human interaction to get me through the next hour, day, week. 

Although it might not be the best to rely on dating apps for attention, there are definitely other ways that these platforms – chock full of potential partners – have benefits you might not be aware of. 

Can Gauge a Potential Partner Before You Meet

People can surprise you and more often than not, the surprise is a nasty one. Many apps have options that allow people to present the finer details of their persona – from political beliefs to their height in inches and feet – before you’ve even swiped right. 

Even better, you can include pointed remarks on your point of view for important topics in your bio or question answers that will weed out any matches that wouldn’t make for a great date. Having the same shared beliefs as a partner is incredibly important for making it work last term and thanks to dating apps, you can ensure you share the same ideals before you even have to speak.

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Diversity You Might Struggle to Come Across IRL

As a fat girl who loves f***ng fellow fat people, it used to be difficult to find not only plus sizers in real life that I fancied, but ones – like I said above – that aligned with my ideals and would eventually wish to date. This scenario of not finding those I’m attracted to so easily in my real life circles was solved by dating apps (which is where I met my current partner!)

Especially for those living in rural areas with less diverse populations, the ability to set your dating circle distance as far or as near as you need means you can find and interact with those more suited to your tastes and lifestyle than just the people you see down the pub every week.

Easier to be Honest Over Text

After the matchmaking process, it’s worth acknowledging that many find it even easier to talk via the messaging part of dating apps than holding a conversation in real life. If you need to clarify a need or want in a future relationship, or even reveal a fact about yourself you feel a potential partner needs to know, doing so in a text can be much easier. Especially as you can write, rewrite and even link to articles that say what you want to say with ease. 

You Can Present Yourself How You Want To 

For those who are unable to present themselves the way they wish to in real life – be that due to gender identity, personal views, kinks or even aesthetics – doing so online can be a real outlet for issues faced IRL. By also presenting ourselves as our truest self on dating apps, we can ensure our matches are those that are attracted to who we honestly are as well. 

Less Anxiety Than IRL Flirting/Dating

For those who are stopped short by real life interactions, online dating apps put a space between the thoughts in your head and your mouth making words. In the time it takes to type, we can reevaluate what it is we want to say and even word our opinions more thoughtfully than can always be achieved in a real time conversation. 

With the safety net of being able to close the app whenever you need space, dating apps are the perfect way to get into romantic situations while always having the option to opt out if you need it. A great way to introduce yourself to not just other people, but to evaluate what you are looking for and need from other people, dating apps are an anxiety relieving step stone towards a mentally healthy dating life.

Photo by Jhosua Rodríguez from Pexels
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